Products Covered by EN 1090
While many structural products require compliance with EN 1090 and CE Marking, not every fabricated steel or aluminium product is covered by the standard. This guide explains which products typically require certification, which are generally outside its scope, and how to determine whether yours need to comply.
What Products Does EN 1090 Cover?
EN 1090 applies to load-bearing structural steel and aluminium components that are permanently incorporated into construction works such as buildings, bridges, industrial facilities, and civil engineering structures. The standard applies where a product contributes to the mechanical strength, stability, or structural integrity of a construction project and is placed on the market as a construction product.
Products That Typically Require EN 1090
These products commonly fall within the scope of EN 1090 and require Factory Production Control (FPC) certification and CE Marking before being placed on the market.
Structural Steel Frames
Frames for commercial, industrial, retail, agricultural, educational, and healthcare buildings — among the most common products requiring EN 1090 compliance.
Structural Beams & Columns
Universal beams (UB), universal columns (UC), rolled steel sections, welded plate girders, box sections, and fabricated structural members forming part of a permanent structure.
Portal Frames
Steel portal frames for industrial units, agricultural sheds, storage buildings, aircraft hangars, and manufacturing facilities — the primary structural support for the building.
Roof Trusses & Roof Structures
Steel roof trusses, roof support systems, structural roof bracing, and roof lattice girders.
Structural Staircases
Fire escape staircases, commercial staircases, industrial access stairs, and structural steel stair systems that form part of the permanent structure of a building.
Structural Balconies
Cantilever balconies, modular balcony systems, and structural balcony frames manufactured from steel or aluminium and permanently attached to buildings.
Walkways & Access Platforms
Permanent access systems including steel walkways, maintenance platforms, access gantries, industrial platforms, and permanently installed elevated work platforms.
Structural Steel Bridges
Road bridges, pedestrian bridges, railway bridges, and modular bridge sections — bridge fabrication typically falls within the higher execution classes of EN 1090.
Structural Support Steelwork
Steel support frames, pipe support structures, equipment support structures, mezzanine floor structures, structural lifting frames, and structural support brackets.
Structural Aluminium Products
Aluminium structural frames, walkways, bridges, structural access systems, and structural façade support systems — EN 1090 applies to aluminium as well as steel.
Components Made from Customer Drawings
Structural components fabricated to engineers' or architects' drawings for installation within buildings or civil engineering projects will often require EN 1090 compliance.
Products That May Not Require EN 1090
Not every fabricated steel or aluminium product falls within the scope of the standard. These examples are commonly outside its scope.
Decorative Metalwork
Decorative gates, ornamental railings, decorative screens, sculptures, and artistic metalwork made purely for aesthetic purposes. If these items also perform a structural or safety function, EN 1090 may still apply.
Furniture
Steel tables, office furniture, chairs, benches, display units, and non-structural shelving — generally outside the scope because they are not construction products.
Machinery
Production equipment, manufacturing machinery, process plant equipment, machine guards, and conveyor systems — normally covered by the Machinery Directive or Machinery Regulation rather than EN 1090.
Vehicle Components
Products manufactured for trucks, trailers, agricultural machinery, rail vehicles, and marine vessels are generally outside the scope of EN 1090.
Pressure Vessels & Tanks
Pressure vessels, boilers, process tanks, and storage tanks designed under pressure equipment requirements are generally covered by other standards.
Temporary Structures
Temporary staging, exhibition stands, temporary site fencing, temporary access structures, and event structures (subject to their intended use).
Consumer Products
Barbecues, bicycle racks, garden furniture, domestic shelving, and home storage products — not construction products and therefore generally outside EN 1090.
Products That Require Careful Assessment
Some products cannot be classified without reviewing their intended use and installation. A technical assessment is often required before determining compliance obligations.
Borderline Products
- Handrails
- Guardrails
- Gates
- Canopies
- Structural glazing supports
- Sign supports
- Solar panel mounting structures
- Architectural metalwork
- Security barriers
- Ladders permanently fixed to buildings
Whether EN 1090 Applies Depends On
- Does the product perform a structural function?
- Is it permanently incorporated into a building or civil engineering works?
- Does it contribute to the stability or safety of the structure?
- Is it being placed on the market as a construction product?
Scope Assessment · EN 1090-1
Does My Product Need EN 1090?
Answer these five questions about your product to get an initial indication of whether EN 1090 is likely to apply.
Is the product made from structural steel or aluminium?
Will it become a permanent part of a building or civil engineering project?
Does it contribute to the structural stability or load-bearing capacity of the construction works?
Is it supplied as a construction product?
Is there a harmonised product standard covering the product?
Supplying Without Certification?
Supplying products that require EN 1090 without the appropriate Factory Production Control certification and CE Marking can have serious consequences, including:
Inability to legally place the product on the market where EN 1090 applies
Rejection of products by contractors or clients
Delays to construction projects
Contractual disputes
Increased costs due to product replacement or rework
Damage to your company's reputation
Implementing EN 1090 helps ensure that products are manufactured under controlled conditions and meet the applicable regulatory and contractual requirements.
Not Sure Where Your Product Stands?
Determining whether a product falls within the scope of EN 1090 can be complex, particularly for bespoke fabrications and architectural steelwork. Our consultants provide clear, practical guidance to help your business meet EN 1090 requirements with confidence.